Subject: The error addressed in 2 Peter |
Bible Note: Just giving your verses from 2 Peter a quick scan, it seems we can sum up the overall thought from Peter that he like Paul were VERY much concerned about the church and her direction in the future. They were very much concerned about the coming apostacy or departure from the Truth as revealed by Jesus and His official representatives, the Apostles. In addition to Peter's words, we have Paul's warning to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. I believe this whole departure from the "straight and narrow" as Jesus would call it is referred to by historians as the apostacy. A brief intro from the Wikapedia, Apostasy (pronounced /[Greek word]) is the formal religious disaffiliation, abandonment, or renunciation by a person of a religion. One who commits apostasy apostatizes and is an apostate. These terms have a pejorative implication in everyday use. The term is used by sociologists to mean renunciation and criticism of, or opposition to, a person's former religion, in a technical sense and without pejorative connotation. The word derives from a Greek word, (apostasia), meaning a defection or revolt, from [Greek word], apo, "away, apart", [Greek word] stasis, "stand", "standing". The term is sometimes also used to refer to renunciation of a belief or cause by extension of the religious connotation, such as in reference to a political party or (generally facetiously) a sports team. End of Quote... So God installed through the HS the perfect church as described throughout the NT BUT, just as noted by Paul's and Peter's prediction, perfection doesn't last long. It doesn't last long because man is simply NOT inclined to keep God's Law in any dispensation. Jer 10:23 O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. I don't know about all the sub-groups (Antinomianism and all the others) but suffice it to say that whenever man departs from God's Sacred Truth, it is simply known as error. Joshua referred to this tendancy with Josh 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. 8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. So mankind in general, but most especialy God's people have shown themselves to be totally unable to abide by His Laws. So we have to rely on His Grace and Mercy if we're covered by the Blood of Jesus and pray every night for forgiveness. In this dispensation we are to adopt the "mind of Christ" 1 Cor 2:16 For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, And how do we do this adopting of the mind of Christ? Rom 12: 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. And of course, we must see ourselves as keeping each other sharp with God's Word, learning to weld it as the Sword of God. I hope this helps and I apologize for the size. God bless, Inquisitor |